A Cape Christmas
Travel is at its most rewarding, when it ceases to be about reaching a destination,
and becomes indistinguishable from living your life
– Paul Theroux
“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse”
A Cape Christmas is a little different. I’m guessing that many Southern hemisphere celebrations are similar.
Our first Cape Christmas was 17 years ago. It was so different to all the cold Christmases of my childhood. Christmas day was punctuated by “we must go to mass”, “you can only open presents after…” and “we’ll eat after the Queen’s speech”.
What do you remember about Christmas, when you were a child?
We were still working in Zambia, when we made plans to travel to South Africa for the first time. We had been training teachers at a government college in a bush town. My parents wanted to meet us for Christmas but didn’t want to deal with the risk of malaria, potholes and no A/C. It was agreed. “Let’s all travel to Cape Town”.
That trip changed the course of our life. It brought us here. Has travelling to another country, ever changed your life?
That was the only family Christmas where I remember my mum relaxed and enjoying it all. She wasn’t slaving over a hot stove. My dad cooked turkey on the braai, while we all lounged about on massive deck, sipping Amarula and looking out at the Waterfront and Robbyn Island. There was no church, few presents, no Queen. And we were all very happy. Lekker.
This year we have our typical Cape Christmas planned. I collected long twigs from the garden, with fantastic knobbly bits which can support the weight of the baubles. We decorated the twigs a couple of weeks ago, listening to a ‘Christmas compo’ made by a friend. It was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.
We got our small, twisted wire tree out of the garage and adorned it with a few more of our eclectic decorations, all bought when living in the Middle East, Kenya and Indonesia.
Most of Christmas will be outdoors, around the braai or by the fire-pit, sitting on the stoep with bottles of Western Cape wine and port. Tomorrow we will start the day with breakfast and chilled Cape bubbles, MCC, maybe on the beach.
Christmas fayre will feature boerewors and veggie bangers, ostrich, grilled halloumi, soetkoekies and dessert wine. It’s all different but now familiar.
So, no chestnuts roasting on an open fire, unless we cook them on the fire pit. Jack Frost doesn’t stand a chance as it’s 26 degrees at the moment. Just big, bright, South African sunshine.
We’re not bothering much with goodies. Its more about time together, in this beautiful corner of Africa.
“And so I’m offering this simple phrase…
Although it’s been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you”
Wishing you good times with the ones you love, abundant wine and big sunshine.
Enjoy!
Have you developed new Christmas traditions living in other countries or travelling?
© Maggie M/Mother City Time
What a lovely read.
Travel has certainly changed my life. Leaving India and moving to another country definitely changed the course of my life.
This year, Christmas is about family and sharing an Indian Christmas with my parents, hubby and girls.
Glad you enjoyed the post Carmel. You have travelled so much, and your new exciting chapter in S E Asia is still unfolding. Keep enjoying! Have a great Christmas.